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Via Divina: The Celtic Way for Faculty June 24 to July 23

Wander with God this Summer

In the Celtic tradition of Christianity pilgrims didn’t have a definite destination. They only knew and trusted the trinitarian God who called them as they headed out. This could be a description of the past year which has felt like a time of wandering for many people. We long for some anchor in this uncertainty.

Similar to the Digital Camino last year, this summer InterVarsity Faculty Ministry is offering an opportunity to find that anchor.

Take time to engage with the Triune God—the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—as we explore the roots and branches of the biblical Christianity practiced by early Celtic followers of Jesus. If you long for a way to practice the presence of God in the midst of this time, on your campus, and in your community, join us this summer.

Here’s a taste of what’s ahead.

Click Here to Learn More and Register

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The Dead Theologians Reading Group Summer Info

The Dead Theologians group reading for this summer is – The Greatest Thing in the World and Other Addresses by Henry Drummond. The book is available as a free ebook in a variety of formats from Project Gutenberg and at Christian Classics Ethereal Library. It is also available in hardcover and paperback from the usual book sources. It is also available as an audio book free on LibriVox and at commercial audio book sources.

As with past summer readings it is understood participants are all likely to miss a few sessions, so the chosen book has smaller self-contained sections. The first session is planned for Wednesday, May 19 at 7:45am on Zoom. Email Paul Post for the link.

Please share with others you think might be interested.

ESN Conversation: Posting Peace

May 13 at 3 PM EDT on Zoom
Most of us are still recovering from the toxic discourse on social media during the November elections. We just got on social media to share pictures and updates with friends. Why does this happen? And how can we have a constructive and redemptive presence online, even with those who post what for us seem outrageous things? Is our only alternative to leave?

Doug Bursch and Bob Trube will be talking about these questions and Doug’s new book, Posting Peace on May 13 at 3 pm ET. I hope you will join me for this important conversation, hopefully the beginning of better online conversations for all of us. Sign up today at https://tinyurl.com/postingpeace. And invite your friends!
Flyer for event listing date and time with photos of the book cover and the author.

Thinking Theologically About Racism: A Short Course for Faculty

This course offers a unique opportunity to learn with faculty colleagues/peers. All faculty are welcome to attend.
The course will be offered in 3 class sessions spread out over 3 months this spring:
Friday, April 30 from 5:00-6:30pm ET: Session 1: Humanity in the Biblical Vision: The Roots of Unity and Diversity. Dr. Elizabeth Sung
Thursday, May 20 from 6:30-8:00pm ET (tentative date): Session 2: The Good Life and the Good Person in the Biblical Vision: Seeking God’s Kingdom and Righteousness as Jesus’ Disciples. Dr. Elizabeth Sung
Tuesday, June 22 from 7:30-9:00pm ET (tentative date): Session 3: Case Studies of Theology in Practice: The Theology of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in conversation with contemporary practitioners. Dr. Jeff Liou, Dr. Robert Chao Romero, and Dr. Elizabeth Sung.

We’re looking forward to learning and engaging with the faculty presenters for this course:

Elizabeth Sung, Ph.D., Visiting Professor in Theology, Regent College (Vancouver, Canada) and Theologian-in-Residence and Senior Fellow, The InterVarsity Institute. Dr. Sung taught for nine years at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School as Associate Professor of Biblical and Systematic Theology, receiving the “Faculty of the Year” award. Her dissertation (2011) is titled “‘Race’ and Ethnicity Discourse and the Christian Doctrine of Humanity: A Systematic Sociological and Theological Appraisal.”

Rev. Dr. Jeff Liou, Director of Theological Formation with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship and Adjunct Professor at Fuller Theological Seminary. Dr. Liou teaches a Fuller Seminary course on Martin Luther King, Jr.: Theology and Ethics. Dr. Liou earned his PhD from Fuller Theological Seminary, where he studied the intersection of race and theology. He has contributed chapters to books on Asian American Christianity and ethics in pastoral ministry. Dr. Liou has also worked as a pastor, university chaplain, and adjunct professor.

Rev. Dr. Robert Chao Romero, Professor of Chicana/o Studies and Asian American Studies at UCLA. Dr. Chao Romero is “Asian-Latino.” He received his Ph.D. from UCLA in Latin American History and his Juris Doctor from U.C. Berkeley, and is also an attorney. Romero has published 15 academic books and articles on issues of race, immigration, history, education, and religion, including Brown Church: Five Centuries of Latina/o Social Justice, Theology, and Identity, published by IVP in May 2020. He received the Latina/o Studies book award from the international Latin American Studies Association.

Course Description: This course does not presuppose a religious commitment, but is designed for faculty of all backgrounds who want to explore the Christian tradition and the resources it offers for human flourishing. This course will build on the previous faculty course taught by Dr. Angela Simms by providing a theological perspective on the problem of racism. We will consider biblical teaching about God’s identity, purposes, and actions in creating and redeeming the world, which reveal what is true, right, just, and good for human beings in living with God and their neighbors. This biblical-theological vision offers wisdom for anyone seeking racial justice and healing, and for those who are followers of Jesus, it offers a general basis for discerning God’s will. This course will provide opportunity for faculty to engage with the faculty presenters and one another in break-out discussion groups.
In sessions One and Two, Regent College Professor/Scholar-in-Residence Dr. Elizabeth Sung will present essential biblical-theological and ethical frameworks to help interrogate and guide our responses to racist patterns embedded in our personal lives, faith communities, and other societal institutions. The final session will engage the theology of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., as a case study in Christian theological reflection and practice, followed by a conversation about this theology in practice with UCLA historian Dr. Robert Chao Romero, theologian Dr. Jeff Liou, and Dr. Sung.
Is this course for you? This course might be for you if:
  • You want to continue learning about racism and explore the Christian tradition and its theological resources for racial justice and healing.
  • You are looking for a group setting in which to ask questions and learn with faculty peers.
  • You’ve read a few books, but still have lots of questions.
  • You’d like to invite a few of your faculty colleagues to engage these important questions together.
To attend this course, please register here.
This course is co-hosted by InterVarsity Faculty Ministry and The Veritas Forum. We’re hoping this course will offer faculty from diverse religious/faith and secular perspectives a space to explore these important questions about racism with the resources of Christian theology. We welcome you to invite faculty colleagues from your university or field to attend this course with you. This is a great opportunity to learn together. We hope you can join us!

Ashley Byrd
InterVarsity Faculty Ministry, Associate Director
Veritas Forum, Director of Forums

Kathy Cooper
InterVarsity Graduate & Faculty Ministries
Regional Director, GFM Northeast Region

Efficacy and Safety of COVID-19 Vaccines

Webinar, Friday, April 16, 4pm

Link to the recording.

Combined presentations in a PDF available here.

Co-Presenters: Dr. John Chae and Dr. Amy Ray

Hosted by the Grad & Faculty InterVarsity Christian Fellowship of the Ohio Valley. This one-hour webinar will also include Q/A session using zoom technology

John Chae, MDJohn Chae, MD photo
Vice President, Research and Sponsored Programs
The MetroHealth System
Professor and Chair, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Professor, Biomedical Engineering
Case Western Reserve University

Amy Ray, MDAmy Ray, MD photo
Director of Infection Control
The MetroHealth System
Associate Professor, Medicine
Case Western Reserve University

Dr. Chae will present on the accelerated clinical trials process and vaccine efficacy, and Dr. Ray will present on vaccine safety from the clinical trials and since FDA Emergency Use Authorization of the Pfizer and Moderna, and now the Johnson & Johnson vaccines.

Zoom link sent upon request.
Email organizer: Howard.Van-Cleave@intervarsity.org

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ESN Conversation: Public Intellectuals and the Common Good

Thursday, February 18, at 12 pm ET
Have you been asked to talk about your work in church, at a local school, on local media, or with a community group. Do you blog about scholarly matters? Have you been asked to be on a board or commission because of your expertise. If you have done any of these or considered this work, you are a public intellectual. This Thursday at 12 pm ET, we are talking with Jerry Pattengale, a co-editor of Public Intellectuals and the Common Good. We will explore how to pursue this work forthrightly as Christians, and constructively in a divisive time.
If you are able to attend, sign up at https://tinyurl.com/publicintellect. Feel free to share with others.
Graphic for webinar. Includes photos of Jerry Patebgale and his book cover

COVID-19 Vaccines and Fetal Cell Lines: Ethical and Moral Implications

Friday, February 5, 2021

Hosted by The Ohio Valley Grad & Faculty ministry- Intervarsity

Presenter 

John Chae, MD
Vice President, Research and Sponsored Programs
The MetroHealth System
Professor and Chair, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Professor, Biomedical Engineering,
Case Western Reserve University

Video Link to Webinar Recording

Resources from Webinar

Email Howard Van Cleave questions and comments.